Tragedy Strikes Lockport: Mother Charged After Toddler Drowns in Canal

A cloud of profound grief and legal reckoning has descended upon Lockport following the tragic death of 2-year-old Jasiyah Miller, who drowned after falling into the Erie Canal. His mother, 25-year-old Jasmine Miller, now faces the grave charge of second-degree manslaughter, a development that has sent ripples of shock and sorrow through the community.

The heartbreaking incident unfolded on the afternoon of July 26, when emergency services were called to the scene near the canal's shallow side, just east of the Transit Road Bridge.

Police and firefighters swiftly responded, their efforts culminating in the discovery of Jasiyah's tiny body in the water. Despite immediate attempts at resuscitation by first responders and later at Eastern Niagara Hospital, the young boy's life could not be saved. The official cause of death was confirmed as drowning.

District Attorney Brian Seaman, in a statement to the press, outlined the charges against Jasmine Miller.

She stands accused of failing in her duty to adequately supervise Jasiyah and another child, a 4-year-old, who were both with her on that fateful day. The allegations suggest a lapse in parental responsibility that directly led to the catastrophic outcome. Miller was arraigned in Lockport City Court and subsequently released on her own recognizance, with her next court appearance scheduled for a later date.

Authorities have reconstructed the moments leading up to the tragedy.

Police Chief Steven J. Beatty confirmed that both children were under Jasmine Miller's care when Jasiyah tumbled into the canal. The presence of the second child further complicates the narrative, raising questions about the level of attention and supervision provided at the time. This incident marks the second drowning in the Lockport portion of the canal within a month, casting a somber light on water safety in the area.

Adding another layer to this already distressing case is the revelation of previous interventions by Child Protective Services.

Records indicate that CPS had been involved with Jasmine Miller's family on at least two prior occasions. While the specific details of these interventions have not been publicly disclosed, their existence suggests a history that authorities may now be re-examining in light of Jasiyah's death. This information underscores the complex social and personal factors that often surround such tragedies.

The community's response has been one of deep sympathy for Jasiyah and intense scrutiny of the circumstances.

Many are left grappling with the senseless loss of a young life and the painful reality of a mother now facing severe legal consequences. As the legal proceedings unfold, Lockport remains united in grief, searching for answers and hoping for justice for little Jasiyah.